VIVA.co.id - The number of electronic products that are used throughout the world certainly enlarge the emerging electronic waste. Electronic waste if collected could be millions of tons.
The view can be seen from the 'grave' electronic waste in Agbogbloshie, Ghana. This location is known as one of the largest cemeteries in the world's electronic waste. Millions of tons of electronic waste is spread and piled in berhektare-hectares of the region.
Quoted by the Daily Mail, Friday, April 24, 2015, the cemetery area electronic waste in Agbogbloshie, Ghana became one of the landfills for European countries.
Report of the United Nations University (UNU) found the UK was the largest emitter of electronic waste to the region in Ghana. State of Queen Elizabeth has donated 1.5 million tons of electronic waste from around 11.6 million tonnes of waste from Europe.
The figure was less than 1.9 million tons of electronic waste coming from all over the African continent. The report found in 2014, total global electronic waste reached 41 million tons which is worth 34 billion pounds Sterling (Rp661 trillion).
"Developed countries export millions of tons of electronic waste every year to developing countries such as Ghana," wrote campaign group QAMP.
Electronic waste that ends up in Ghana's site consists of household electronic devices, computers and mobile phones and other products.
UNU's head, Dr. Ruediger Kuehr menggingatkan transport electronic waste to Africa is illegal. But brokers who play quite cunning. They, the chairman said, could take advantage of loopholes by labeling the items litter as product categories are already unusable. So that the trash can to the grave of electronic waste.
Damaging: The mountains of 'e-waste' that builds up in landfill sites such as Agbogbloshie (pictured) pollutes the local water and harms the health of the scavengers Whose livelihoods depend on Reviews These broken goods
Kuehr adding European countries it is preferred to throw their electronic waste to Africa with consideration of garbage is still needed in Africa. In addition, it is known to recycle electronic waste that takes the cost and extra effort.
"Recycling in the European Union and the British took charge. So if the broker managed to collect enough material and sent to Africa, it could benefit them (broker)" he said.
Threatens environment
Problem sending electronic waste to Africa also deals with environmental issues. The waste is feared to bring a large number of life-threatening toxic material. For example, mercury, cadmium can cause organ failure and severe mental disorders if pollute local water sure it was deposited.
If burned, the waste would also affect air pollution.
Unknown fridge former is in grave Agbogbloshie rubbish containing chemicals chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which damage the ozone layer.
UNU report says only a third of electronic waste in the UK is recycled through a recognized scheme.
While the US and China produce nearly a third of electronic waste in the world combined. Five other European countries hum world of electronic waste, namely Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Denmark, and Germany.
Scavengers: The young men who look through the Wreckage in Agbogbloshie, Accra (pictured) are exposed to toxic materials the which seep from some discarded products
Given this reality, researchers urged UNU shipping law. This is to restrict the entry of electronic waste to Africa and thereby reduce the potential danger in the country.
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